IRMO Brief 10/2020, "Schengen and COVID-19 Combined"

‍

Introduction
‍
The idea of freedom of movement of persons within the European continent rests at the heart of the European project and is embedded in the founding treaties of the European Union (EU). Political and economic unification of the European continent is directly related to the abolition of internal borders in a sustainable and manageable way. There is a track-record of significant benefits it brings for many years to the economies of the EU member states and to the European single market as a whole. Therefore, the free movement of persons became one of the few fundaments of the EU as we know it. The freedom to travel, regardless of the purpose, was perceived as something that is prescribed to all Europeans. The idea of freedom of movement of persons within the European continent rests at the heart of the European project and is embedded in the founding treaties of the European Union (EU).

‍

‍